In the US a man has been released from prison after nearly 40 years behind bars.

Joseph Sledge, who is now aged 70, was found guilty in 1976 of murdering a mother and daughter in North Carolina.

DNA tests carried out three years ago have revealed that hairs found at the crime scene did not come from him.

It is also believed that a witness who testified that Mr Sledge had admitted to the murders recanted their testimony in 2013.

A district attorney - who was not originally involved - apologised to Mr Sledge and promised to re-open the investigation.

"The system has made a mistake," district attorney Jon David said.

Asked what he was looking forward to doing, Mr Sledge told reporters: "Going home. Relaxing. Sleeping in a real bed. Probably get in a pool of water and swim."

He was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in September 1976 over the deaths of Josephine Davis (74) and her daughter, Aileen (57).

The Davis family have expressed their disapproval with the panel's decision.